Bastrop, 30 miles east of Austin, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

Bastrop, 30 miles east of Austin, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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Big Spring, 40 miles northeast of Midland, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

Big Spring, 40 miles northeast of Midland, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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Caddo Lake, 166 miles east of Dallas, is among more than a dozen Texas locations scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

Caddo Lake, 166 miles east of Dallas, is among more than a dozen Texas locations scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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Caldwell, 74 miles east of Austin, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

Caldwell, 74 miles east of Austin, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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Christoval, 20 miles south of San Angelo, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

Christoval, 20 miles south of San Angelo, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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College Station is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

College Station is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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Dell City, 86 miles east of El Paso, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

Dell City, 86 miles east of El Paso, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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Eldorado, 44 miles south of San Angelo, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

Eldorado, 44 miles south of San Angelo, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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Goliad, 91 miles southeast of San Antonio, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

Goliad, 91 miles southeast of San Antonio, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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Junction, 120 miles northwest of San Antonio, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

Junction, 120 miles northwest of San Antonio, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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Leakey, 100 miles west of San Antonio, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

Leakey, 100 miles west of San Antonio, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

Image 13 of 38

Menard, 66 miles southeast of San Angelo, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

Menard, 66 miles southeast of San Angelo, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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Mountain Home, 95 miles northwest of San Antonio, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

Mountain Home, 95 miles northwest of San Antonio, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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San Angelo is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

San Angelo is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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San Antonio is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

San Antonio is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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Smithville, 42 miles, east of Austin, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

Smithville, 42 miles, east of Austin, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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Victoria, 120 miles southwest of Houston, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot suspicious activity in their town. less

Victoria, 120 miles southwest of Houston, is among more than a dozen Texas cities scheduled to take part in Operation Jade Helm, a covert military exercise intended, in part, to test citizen's ability to spot ... more

Photo: Google Maps Image

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A convoy of National Guard troops moves on Camp Swift, which is also hosting the Operation Jade Helm 15 military exercise, in Bastrop, Texas, on Wednesday July 15, 2015. Jade Helm 15 is summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm among archconservative Texans. less

A convoy of National Guard troops moves on Camp Swift, which is also hosting the Operation Jade Helm 15 military exercise, in Bastrop, Texas, on Wednesday July 15, 2015. Jade Helm 15 is summer military ... more

Photo: Jay Janner, Associated Press

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A convoy of National Guard troops moves on Camp Swift, which is also hosting the Operation Jade Helm 15 military exercise, in Bastrop, Texas, on Wednesday July 15, 2015. Jade Helm 15 is summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm among archconservative Texans. less

A convoy of National Guard troops moves on Camp Swift, which is also hosting the Operation Jade Helm 15 military exercise, in Bastrop, Texas, on Wednesday July 15, 2015. Jade Helm 15 is summer military ... more

Photo: Jay Janner, Associated Press

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Unauthorized civilians are turned away as they tried to drive onto Camp Swift in Bastrop, Texas, on the first day of the Operation Jade Helm 15 military exercise on Wednesday July 15, 2015. Jade Helm 15 is summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm among archconservative Texans. less

Unauthorized civilians are turned away as they tried to drive onto Camp Swift in Bastrop, Texas, on the first day of the Operation Jade Helm 15 military exercise on Wednesday July 15, 2015. Jade Helm 15 is ... more

Photo: Jay Janner, Associated Press

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Derrick Broze, left, an activist/journalist from Houston, and Mark Jankins, of Round Rock, Texas, keep watch on the entrance to Camp Swift in Bastrop, Texas, on the first day of the Operation Jade Helm 15 military exercise on Wednesday July 15, 2015. Jade Helm 15 is summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm among archconservative Texans. less

Derrick Broze, left, an activist/journalist from Houston, and Mark Jankins, of Round Rock, Texas, keep watch on the entrance to Camp Swift in Bastrop, Texas, on the first day of the Operation Jade Helm 15 ... more

Photo: Jay Janner, Associated Press

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Military vehicles are seen at Texas Army National Guard Camp Swift, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. Jade Helm 15, a summer military training exercise, that has aroused alarm among archconservative Texans, begins Wednesday outside the Central Texas town of Bastrop. less

Military vehicles are seen at Texas Army National Guard Camp Swift, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. Jade Helm 15, a summer military training exercise, that has aroused alarm ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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A warning sign is posted at a gate entrance at Texas Army National Guard Camp Swift, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. Jade Helm 15, a summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm among archconservative Texans, begins Wednesday outside the Central Texas town of Bastrop. less

A warning sign is posted at a gate entrance at Texas Army National Guard Camp Swift, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. Jade Helm 15, a summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

Image 25 of 38

A vehicle enters a gate at Texas Army National Guard Camp Swift, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. Jade Helm 15, a summer military training exercise, that has aroused alarm among archconservative Texans, begins Wednesday outside the Central Texas town of Bastrop. The training exercise has aroused alarm among archconservatives who believe it could be a precursor to martial law and firearms confiscations. less

A vehicle enters a gate at Texas Army National Guard Camp Swift, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. Jade Helm 15, a summer military training exercise, that has aroused alarm among archconservative ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

Image 26 of 38

Military vehicles are seen at Texas Army National Guard Camp Swift, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. Jade Helm 15, a summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm among archconservative Texans, began Wednesday outside the Central Texas town of Bastrop. less

Military vehicles are seen at Texas Army National Guard Camp Swift, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. Jade Helm 15, a summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm among archconservative ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Pres

Image 27 of 38

Derrick Broze, who describes himself as an activist journalist, takes video at the main gate at Texas Army National Guard Camp Swift, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. Jade Helm 15, a summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm among archconservative Texans, began Wednesday outside the Central Texas town of Bastrop. less

Derrick Broze, who describes himself as an activist journalist, takes video at the main gate at Texas Army National Guard Camp Swift, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. Jade Helm 15, a summer military ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Pres

Image 28 of 38

Derrick Broze, who describes himself as an activist journalist, left, with friend Mark Jankins, right, takes video at the main gate at Texas Army National Guard Camp Swift, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. Jade Helm 15, a summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm among archconservative Texans, began Wednesday outside the Central Texas town of Bastrop. less

Derrick Broze, who describes himself as an activist journalist, left, with friend Mark Jankins, right, takes video at the main gate at Texas Army National Guard Camp Swift, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Pres

Image 29 of 38

Eric Johnston, the Texas organizer for the counter Jade Helm 15 military training exercise, talks on the phone, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. The summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm among archconservative Texans, began Wednesday outside the Central Texas town. less

Eric Johnston, the Texas organizer for the counter Jade Helm 15 military training exercise, talks on the phone, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. The summer military training exercise that has ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Pres

Image 30 of 38

Main Street in downtown Bastrop, Texas, is quiet on the first day of the Operation Jade Helm 15 military exercise on Wednesday July 15, 2015. Jade Helm 15 is summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm among archconservative Texans. less

Main Street in downtown Bastrop, Texas, is quiet on the first day of the Operation Jade Helm 15 military exercise on Wednesday July 15, 2015. Jade Helm 15 is summer military training exercise that has aroused ... more

A sign at Dan's Guns and Stuff in Bastrop, Texas, welcomes Jade Helm on Wednesday July 15, 2015. Jade Helm 15, a summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm among archconservative Texans, began

Military personnel are seen in the southern part of Camp Swift, Texas, north of Bastrop, Texas, Wednesday, July 15, 2015. It is the first day of the U.S. Army Special Operations exercise, "Jade Helm 15," at the camp and will bring 1,200 troops to Texas, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Utah and New Mexico. It is expected to last through mid-September. Conspiracy theorist have voice concern that the operation will lead to suspension of civil liberties and the government imposing martial law. less

Military personnel are seen in the southern part of Camp Swift, Texas, north of Bastrop, Texas, Wednesday, July 15, 2015. It is the first day of the U.S. Army Special Operations exercise, "Jade Helm 15," at the ... more

Photo: JERRY LARA, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

Image 33 of 38

A vehicle makes its way around the southern part of Camp Swift, Texas, north of Bastrop, Texas, Wednesday, July 15, 2015. It is the first day of the U.S. Army Special Operations exercise, "Jade Helm 15," at the camp and will bring 1,200 troops to Texas, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Utah and New Mexico. It is expected to last through mid-September. Conspiracy theorist have voice concern that the operation will lead to suspension of civil liberties and the government imposing martial law. less

A vehicle makes its way around the southern part of Camp Swift, Texas, north of Bastrop, Texas, Wednesday, July 15, 2015. It is the first day of the U.S. Army Special Operations exercise, "Jade Helm 15," at the ... more

Photo: JERRY LARA, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

Image 34 of 38

A security guard checks incoming traffic at Camp Swift, Texas, north of Bastrop, Texas, Wednesday, July 15, 2015. It is the first day of the U.S. Army Special Operations exercise, "Jade Helm 15," at the camp and will bring 1,200 troops to Texas, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Utah and New Mexico. It is expected to last through mid-September. Conspiracy theorist have voice concern that the operation will lead to suspension of civil liberties and the government imposing martial law. less

A security guard checks incoming traffic at Camp Swift, Texas, north of Bastrop, Texas, Wednesday, July 15, 2015. It is the first day of the U.S. Army Special Operations exercise, "Jade Helm 15," at the camp ... more

Photo: JERRY LARA, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

Image 35 of 38

A military vehicle passes a gate at Texas Army National Guard Camp Swift, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. Jade Helm 15, a summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm among archconservative Texans, began Wednesday outside the Central Texas town of Bastrop. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

A military vehicle passes a gate at Texas Army National Guard Camp Swift, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Bastrop, Texas. Jade Helm 15, a summer military training exercise that has aroused alarm among ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Pres

Image 36 of 38

A military vehicle leaves Camp Swift, Texas, north of Bastrop, Texas, Tuesday, July 14, 2015. Wednesday is the first day of the U.S. Army Special Operations exercise, "Jade Helm 15," at the camp and will bring 1,200 troops to Texas, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Utah and New Mexico. It is expected to last through mid-September. Conspiracy theorist have voice concern that the operation will lead to suspension of civil liberties and the government imposing martial law. less

A military vehicle leaves Camp Swift, Texas, north of Bastrop, Texas, Tuesday, July 14, 2015. Wednesday is the first day of the U.S. Army Special Operations exercise, "Jade Helm 15," at the camp and will bring ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

Image 37 of 38

Military personnel train at Camp Swift north of Bastrop,Texas, Wednesday, July 15, 2015. The U.S. Army Special Operations exercise, "Jade Helm 15," started this morning at the camp. The operation brings 1,200 troops to Texas, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Utah and New Mexico. It is expected to last through mid-September. Conspiracy theorist have voice concern that the operation will lead to suspension of civil liberties and the government imposing martial law. less

Military personnel train at Camp Swift north of Bastrop,Texas, Wednesday, July 15, 2015. The U.S. Army Special Operations exercise, "Jade Helm 15," started this morning at the camp. The operation brings 1,200 ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

Image 38 of 38

Poll finds nearly half of Republicans could imagine supporting a military coup

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In a recent poll, almost half of Republican respondents said they could imagine supporting a military overthrow of the United States government.

Between September 2 and 3, pollsters asked via email, "Is there any situation in which you could imagine yourself supporting the U.S. military taking over the powers of federal government?"

Forty-three percent of Republicans said yes, along with 20 percent of Democrats and 29 percent of independents.

That echoes back to the summer, when many Texans sounded the alarm that Jade Helm, a massive scheduled Special Forces drill, was actually a front for military takeover of Texas. But a May poll found that concern over the military's plans was strongest among Republicans—a third of whom said they thought "the government is trying to take over Texas" in a Public Policy Polling report.

YouGov also asked respondents what they thought of American officials' intentions. Among those polled, 70 percent said they thought military officers generally wanted what was best for the country. In contrast, 71 percent said they thought congressmen generally wanted what was best for themselves.

A majority of Republicans (55 percent) said they would support "the military stepping in to take control of the federal government" if "elected leaders of the federal government began to violate the Constitution." Thirty-six percent of Democrats and 41 percent of Independents agreed.

The poll comes less than two weeks after a West Point professor was forced to resign after The Guardian reported he published articles encouraging military attacks on domestic critics of the War on Terror.

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